Secrets to Scoring the Best Secondhand Finds on thredUp
There is a method to the madness.
Almost halfway into my second no buy year I’ve gone approximately 550 days purchasing nothing new (save for a few exceptions). For someone who used to get packages almost daily, it’s been quite a transformation. I’m embarrassed by the sheer amount of stuff I used to acquire and cycle through because it was just a normal part of “doing business.”
But having that amount of stuff is NOT normal, and I regret that I was a part of normalizing it. Looking back, the consumption cycle was like a drug. I was addicted to it, and nothing was ever enough. The second the newness wore off, there was always something else to replace that feeling. It was only in completely stepping away that I recognized I was chronically anxious and unsatisfied because I was seeking fulfillment through acquiring things. I could finally see what made me happy was living in alignment with my values and goals. Participating in endless consumption and encouraging others to do the same was not it.
When I was finally ready to shop (with intention and purpose) I knew I had to make every effort to shop secondhand. Locally even better, but in rural Vermont, that’s not always easy. So I turned to thredUp. And when I realized just how much they had (click on “dresses” and get 50k results) it made me never want to buy anything new again.
I promise, there is a method to the madness, and if you want to shop secondhand but feel overwhelmed by a search that elicits thousands of results, let me walk you through the foolproof process of shopping on thredUP.
If you’re a newbie, you can get 45% off and free shipping on your first order at thredUP with this link. I am not affiliated with or paid by thredUP in any way, but I will get a credit if you make your first purchase with that link. If you are interested in trying it out, I hope my tips help, but I don’t want to encourage overconsumption or unnecessary buying in any way, just putting that out there too!
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Know Before You Go
My single most important piece of advice for shopping on thredUP is to know what you’re looking for. They have hundreds of thousands of items (which makes the case for not needing to buy new stuff ever). thredUP is not the place to just browse. It would be entirely overwhelming.
Filter To Narrow Your Search
thredUP has a search tool where you can type in a description of what you’re looking for, “linen pants” for example, but I have much better luck using the filter functionality. Here’s an example:
First go to Women>Pants
Then narrow by size, brand, condition, material, and color. There are even more filter options but these tend to help me find the best results.
Brands I typically search for/buy on thredUP: AYR, Patagonia, Everlane, Saint James, Eileen Fisher, Frame, AG, Cuyana, Alex Mill. For kids I like Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren and Janie and Jack.
“Favorite” Items to Watch for Price Drops
I really like using the “Heart” option on thredUP not only because it notifies you if the item goes on sale, but also because it gives me time to think about something if I’m not positive I want to buy it.
Utilize Image Search
This might actually be my number one favorite thredUP hack.
In the search bar there’s a small camera icon where you can upload a photo of something you’re looking for. See the below example:
You can then narrow down your search even more with things like brand, material, condition, size, etc. It’s pretty foolproof. My sister-in-law had a pair of Uniqlo pants that I am absolutely obsessed with so I used this tool to try and find a similar style. I saved my search as well so if they happen to pop up on thredUP I’ll know!
Save Your Sizes
If you create an account you can save your sizes for clothing and shoes which makes the shopping experience a lot easier and faster. I save a range of sizes because it’s so brand dependent.
Read Descriptions and Listings Carefully
thredUP lists the condition and makes note of any stains or wear on the item. Not all items are returnable, so make sure to double-check if the listing is “finale sale.” I tend to avoid final sale items because I don’t want to purchase something I don’t end up wearing. I also only look for “new with tags” or “excellent” condition items so there’s no question about the shape it’s in.
A note about returns: If the description/sizing of the item is not accurate and you need to return it, thredUP will waive the processing fee.
Prioritize Natural Materials and Fabrics
This is of course my personal preference, but I like to stay with 100% cotton, linen, wool and cashmere (which you can filter). I don’t really stray from those options often because I find the clothes last longer and feel better.
Sell Your Own Clothes for Credit
Have a pile of clothes you’ve been waiting to sell? It’s so easy. Order a clean-out kit, they’ll sort through the clothes, photograph and price your items (you can make changes to how they price), and then get credit or cash when your items sell. There’s two options for selling, you can do standard or premium which costs a bit more. It can take a while for thredUP to process your items, but if you’re ok with waiting a bit it’s a pretty easy and low lift option.
Bundle Orders to Save on Shipping
thredUP gives you the option to bundle orders so you can shop for a period of 7 days and have all your items bundled into one package which saves on shipping fees (and packaging waste!).
If you don’t have local access to secondhand shopping or you just have an easier time shopping online, thredUP is a great option. Seeing how many items they have available makes you think about how much overconsumption exists, and it certainly made me realize how unnecessary it was to buy new things when there’s hundreds of thousands of used garments waiting to be worn.
If you have any more tips or favorite brands to shop secondhand, please share them in the comments!
I had no idea you could shop by image! Great tips!
I started using ThredUp this year when I committed to buying clothes second hand and I'm obsessed! I use a lot of the same tips you share (esp image search -- so helpful!) and it's shocking how often you can find things you're looking for. I found a linen blouse from a brand I've been eyeing for TWO years and scored it for $14 on sale. I love wearing these finds and knowing I saved money and did something better for the planet.